Population Dynamics: Density, Factors, and Global Trends
Population Density and Distribution
Factors Influencing Population Distribution
The distribution of the population is influenced by physical, economic, and historical factors.
Population Census
Censuses of the population are typically conducted every ten years and contain information from the population registers. However, there are sometimes errors in these records.
Evolution of Population
Population Trends in Developed Countries
The evolution of the population in wealthy countries can be characterized by three phases:
- Long demographic stability
- Stage of population increase or demographic revolution
- Phase of declining birth rates
Population Trends in Developing Countries
The evolution of the population in poorer countries typically involves two stages:
- Stage of demographic stability
- Long phase of declining mortality
Slowing Population Growth
Experts believe that the estimated population growth will be lower due to a deceleration in birth rates. There are also differences between developed and developing countries, particularly among younger generations of reproductive age.
Aging Population in Developed Countries
The general characteristic of the population in wealthy countries is aging. The causes of this are:
- Decreased birth rates
- Increased life expectancy due to better nutrition and medical care
Young Population in Developing Countries
The general characteristic of the population in poorer countries is a high birth rate, resulting in a young population. Families often have more children for economic support.
Migration
Migration can be classified as either emigration or immigration.
Migration Balance and Consequences
The balance of migration is calculated by subtracting the number of emigrants from the number of immigrants. The result can be either positive or negative.
Current Migration Trends
Today, migration often involves highly qualified individuals. There are three main areas of migration flows.
The Active Population
The active population includes individuals who are employed or seeking employment, regardless of whether they currently have a job. This includes the employed, unemployed, and those seeking their first job. The non-working population includes children, retirees, and those unable to work.
Productive Sectors and Inequality Among Countries
The distribution of the workforce across productive sectors varies between countries and indicates a country’s level of economic development:
- In developed countries, the primary sector is small and likely to decrease, while the secondary and especially the tertiary sector employs a larger portion of the active population.
- In developing countries, a significant portion of the population works in the primary sector due to a lack of food security. As a country develops, there is often a shift of the workforce from the primary to the secondary and tertiary sectors.
The Three Productive Sectors
- Primary: Obtaining products directly from nature, such as agriculture, livestock, fishing, and forestry.
- Secondary: Transforming natural resources into semi-processed and processed products, including industry, construction, mining, and energy production.
- Tertiary: Providing services to people, such as healthcare, education, transportation, and commerce.
The Problem of Unemployment
The main causes of unemployment are a reduction in the number of jobs and business closures. Unemployment is a common problem in developing countries, often compounded by housing shortages and displacement from the place of origin. Undocumented migration from developed to developing countries is also a significant issue.